The sale of Angel Di Maria has caused a stir in the capital city of Spain. Shortly after the player’s departure, the Spanish newspaper AS took a survey amongst Real Madrid supporters and 83.5 percent of those polled wanted the Argentina international to stay with the club, following his efforts which helped Los Blancos secure their tenth European Cup and a Cope del Rey title last season.

In the weeks preceding his record breaking £59.7 million transfer to Manchester United, Di Maria’s Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos went to the club’s president and pleaded with him to allow the Argentinian to stay. But only a few days later, the sale of Di Maria to the English side was completed.

Ronaldo then took to the press to voice his displeasure with the club’s decision to sell Di Maria and midfielder Xabi Alonso.

“I have my very clear opinion, but I must calculate and I cannot always say what I think because tomorrow I will be on the front of the papers and I do not want that,” the reigning Ballon d’Or winner said, during an event for sponsor Tag Heur.

“But if I was in charge, maybe I would not do things like that. Everyone has their opinion and is free to say what they think. If the president thinks that the best thing for the team is to sign these players and let go those who left then we have to respect and support his decision.”

Following the transfer, Di Maria and his father have spoken publicly about the player’s departure from Real Madrid. Both have blamed a poor relationship with the Spanish club’s president as the reason for Di Maria’s exit.

Today, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez spoke for the first time since signing off on the transfer of the talented attacking midfielder.

When he was asked about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo and why the club chose to sell Di Maria, the president responded: “I have listened to all the comments he [Ronaldo] made and as I know him, I know that he never questioned the club. My relationship with him is perfect, there are zero discrepancies. Cristiano is the best player in the world, it’s obvious, and more so this year.”

Perez then revealed that Di Maria had turned down an improved contract which left the club president with no option other than to sell the talented player.

“I’ve been here since 2000. Since then a lot of players have come and gone and my experience tells me that the ones that leave are always the best and those that arrive are always questioned.”

“My first signing was [Zinedine] Zidane and the last (before this summer’s transfer market) was [Gareth] Bale. We made the best offer that we could to Di Maria and he didn’t accept it.”

“Hence, we bought James [Rodriguez], one of the best players at the World Cup and the Golden Boot winner. Di Maria and all of those that have left have our gratitude and respect.”

“A player that is under contract and leaves is because he wants to. Real has always respected contracts. Di Maria had financial requests that I considered legitimate but we couldn’t satisfy them. I reiterate that we made him the best possible offer.”

“With the exception of Cristiano, Di Maria would have been the highest paid at Real Madrid. Had we accepted his financial demands it would have created an unbalanced treatment that would have put the club’s stability in danger.”

“Di Maria left to Manchester for a fee that we considered fair and that is why the transfer was completed. We wish Di Maria the best professionally and personally.”

Perez closed by shedding some light on Alonso’s departure.

“Xabi came to us and told us that he wanted to leave. He thought it was the best for him and for the club. Our relationship with Xabi is excellent and we accepted his proposal.”